NCC’s schedule for signal shift to digital outlined

By Shelley Shan / Staff Reporter

The analog signal for terrestrial TV will gradually be phased out starting in May, the National Communications Commission (NCC) said yesterday.

Commission spokesperson Chen Jeng-chang (陳正倉) said the task would be carried out in four stages. The first stage will begin on May 7, when residents in Siangshan District (香山) in Hsinchu City and Emei Township (峨眉) in Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, Greater Taichung, Changhua County, as well as parts of Chiayi City and Chiayi County will start receiving digital signals for the terrestrial TV service.

The switch from analog signals to digital ones will take place on 12pm on May 7, Chen added.

Chen said that the second stage will begin on May 28, covering the households in Yilan, Hualien and Taitung counties as well as the outlying islands.

Those living in Greater Tainan, Greater Kaohsiung and Pingtung County and the rest of Chiayi City and Chiayi County will see their signals changed at the third stage, starting on June 11.

The final stage will take place on June 30 and cover Keelung, Taipei City, New Taipei City (新北市), Taoyuan County and the rest of Hsinchu City and Hsinchu County.

Chen said that they decided to turn off the analog signals in the stated order because they want to start from the areas where the majority of residents watch terrestrial television services, which can also help the commission identify locations where it still needs to reinforce the infrastructure.